DnD’s Rogues are a diverse bunch. There’s a ton of variety once you consider all the different subclasses, feats, backgrounds, and races. But a handful of things ring true for just about every great Rogue. An affinity for stealth, dexterity, quick wits, and nimble hands all spring to mind when we think about this sneaky class.
There’s also a dark, edgy feel to characters who like to hide in the shadows. Choosing a name that hints at some typically roguish ability or suitably shadowy background often works for a Rogue. Some subclasses benefit from further linguistic tweaks. An Arcane Trickster’s name might hint at magical abilities, while a Mastermind’s might suggest hours spent in study and thought.
Female Rogue Names
Performers, gymnasts, acrobats, and athletes are a pretty close approximation of the 5e Rogue in the real world. Usually, these people are slender-framed, flexible, and coordinated, moving with a casual grace from years of training. By sticking to names with softer sounds and fewer open vowels, we can achieve subtle, roguish-sounding names. More descriptive names can also be effective.
Tisgyn Leatherspine
It was in her first year of adventuring that Tisgyn picked up the name “Leatherspine.” She laughed when she first heard it first, but later admitted it was a good fit. As a Mastermind, Tisgyn spent half her time with her nose buried in one of her leather-bound books. The other half, she performed acts of nimble dexterity that made it seem her spine was truly made of leather.
- Nasnyl Duskhood
Sarlen Copperblade
Sarlen’s twin rapiers were steel, just like everyone else’s. No, it wasn’t for her blades she’d been given the name. It’d started when she first arrived in the Moonshae Isles to study at the college. The locals had never seen anything like the large sackbut trombone Sarlen carried on her back. Mistaking it for a weapon, they referred to her as “Copperblade” from the first days of her stay.
- Faynys Quickhand
- Rohkodur Dirgebender
Ketad Laughingpike
The daughter of an Icewind Dale scrimshander, Ketad learned the carving and dyeing arts as a child. These skills served her well. She attributes her skill at forgery to the years spent learning the delicate art of scrimshaw. She styles herself “Laughingpike,” referring to her humble beginnings on those frozen northern lakes.
Male Rogue Names
Our male Rogue names can still suggest lean, athletic characteristics. But there’s also lots of room to mix it up here. A male Swashbuckler, for example, might choose a brash-sounding name to suit their outlandish personality. A Rogue Phantom might choose a name that alludes to the dead, etc.
- Errich Freeshadow
Kalanur Longstrider
With a scout for a father and the High Forest as a playground, Kalanur was destined to be a master woodsman. Known for his skills at a young age, the King of Eaerlann as a runner and scout. It was here that his exploits earned him the name “Longstrider.” It was also here that he fell into a life of adventuring.
- Wenwan Clayhanger
Balprax Yepedil
Balprax was never typical Rogue material. Both parents assumed the boy would follow them into the Guild of Magic one day. When they caught him practicing archery and scaling the castle walls, they knew something had gone wrong. When he finally told them he’d become an Arcane Trickster, they finally felt some relief. “At least there’s a bit of magic in it,” his father would say.
- Methild Glyntoris
- Tom Fingertwitch
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Witty Rogue Names
Wordplay is the backbone of the witty DnD name. An unexpected or subtle combination of sounds that makes sense to the initiated is usually what’s needed.
Yoslin Fizzwarper
Once she became an Arcane Trickster, everyone all but forgot Yoslin’s true surname. “Fizzwarper suits better,” her old master had said. You see, Yoslin was a strong student and a quick learner. Her spells were soon as powerful as the man who taught her. But every time she cast a spell, a strange fizzing sound issued from her hands. Despite her fame and power, it embarrasses her to this day.
Badass Rogue Names
This category is for edgy Rogues. The kind of Rogues you might see on the cover of a mid-90s comic book – dark, morally gray, and not afraid to get their hands dirty.
- Aimer Neriwenys
- Nasnyl Duskhood
Cool Rogue Names
Some Rogues like a name that makes things clear. Cool Rogue names are often direct advertisem*nts of their character’s abilities.
Kramgrim Leatherdigger
Kramgrim’s grandfather was a near-legendary dwarven arrowsmith from the Citadel at Sundabar. And like his sires, Kramgrim dedicated much of his life to forging stronger, more penetrating arrowheads. Orcs fear his appearance on the battlefield, knowing he can rain death on them from hundreds of yards away.
Funny Rogue Names
Context is king when it comes to comedy, but there are some principles we can broadly apply. Funny names work best when the joke is on the owner. No one wants to share the table with someone who’s named their dwarven fighter “Dain Elfsux.”
Braggart Nickleplenty
Though he’s one of the biggest talkers on the Neverwinter tavern scene, Braggart Nickleplenty rarely covers his drinks. In fact, there are simple drawings of him behind many bars that read, “Extend no credit to this man.”
Colrin Needledancer
Though he tries to obscure it with inflated tales of his fencing prowess, all know the real reason for Colrin’s moniker. His parents were the greatest upholsterers in Waterdeep, their fame surpassing his own. Only competent at swords play, he doesn’t like it when people bring up his name.
Rogues By Race
Gnome
Choosing a name that suits your race’s natural enthusiasm works too. Rogues often operate in the dark, but you might not want your gnome’s name to sound too hostile or wicked. Go for something that hints at curiosity, openness, and an eagerness to learn and experiment.
- Orryn Togglesprocket
- Poppy Fizzlebang
- Drucnur Nicklefoot
Human
Humans are a uniquely varied race in the Forgotten Realms. With a huge range of height, weight, skin color, language, culture, and society, there’s no one rule for human names. Different takes on existing, real-world names are a common choice for first names. Descriptions of origins, skills, or characteristics often make up a human character’s second name.
- Errich Freeshadow
- Lar-Vorar Forestfang
- Alvertos Tarrenshade
Orc
Often in fantasy, Orcs have names that sound guttural, alien, and as far from English as possible. Other naming traditions include using older forms like a descriptive as part of the name, e.g. “Gramok The Angry.” We associate these names with ancient, more savage versions of human history, so they work well for Orcs.
- Rhog The Reckless
- Shakk Elfslayer
- Halu The Shady
Dwarf
Dwarven names often represent clan lineage, heritage, or love of craftsmanship and mining. The best examples for Rogues combine these ideas with something more typically associated with sneaky, stealthy, or clandestine activities.
- Thergrun Shadowfeet
- Mystyn Greathand
- Yokeac Earthhide
Elf
Often hinting at the sylvan origins of elves, these names have a flowing, nature-inspired feel. Add some darker-sounding words, and things get roguish.
- Ualair Duskblossom
- Cybiir Duskpool
- Galtorin Starglance
How To Come Up With A Good Rogue Name
Approaches To Rogue Naming
There are probably several thousand ways of looking at this. But the way we see it, a good Rogue name should probably either describe a physical/character trait that’s particularly roguish – or it should hint at the kind of origin that breeds stealthy street urchins. Colrin Needledancer is an example of the first type, Lokerias Gullscream an example of the second.
Of course, there’s another, harder-to-nail-down type of name that works. Some players want to play it funny, others badass, and others like to walk around as an ice-for-veins, fantasy Clint Eastwood.
Rogue Names – Technical Breakdown
Forgive us for stating the obvious, but if we go back to our two examples, combining “needle” and “dancer” suggests a certain kind of light-footed proficiency with finesse weapons like the rapier. Perfect for a Swashbuckler or melee-focused Rogue. While the “gull” and “scream” combo suggests a coastal upbringing. And if a place is named for its gulls, it probably isn’t the fancy part of town. More likely, it’s where fishing boats dump spoiled catch on the way home, and fishmongers throw out the guts – perfect for forging tough, resourceful Rogues.
Linguistic Factors In Your Rogue’s Name
It’s not always obvious why a certain combination of sounds evokes particular imagery. And that’s fine. Myriil Heixalim suggests a lithe, cunning Rogue with some magical abilities – an Arcane Trickster maybe. But because they don’t contain any dictionary-standard language components, names like this example are a bit trickier to deconstruct.
To us, “Myrill” works for a Rogue. Our chosen name avoids plosives (t, k, p, g, b, d sounds) and doesn’t contain any long or open vowel sounds. These factors help to give the name a lean, flowing sound that suits our loose-limbed, ultra-nimble adventurer.
Contrast it with another name like “Thunu,” which is appropriate in a fantasy setting, but doesn’t work as well for a Rogue. Why? We’d argue that due to its hard consonants and open vowel sounds, “Thunu” is better suited for a fighter/barbarian.
Myril’s last name, “Heixalim,” gives things a distinctly magical air. It’s probably why we chose Arcane Trickster for this character. The close approximation of “hex” evokes the arcane.
“Alim” is an Urdu word meaning wise or omniscient, giving more mystery to the sounds. The –alim suffix (something we stick on the end of a word) has a distinctly middle-eastern sound, which is often used in fantasy when trying to depict civilizations other than late Medieval Europe.
What’s In A Name?
Ultimately, the best name for your character is the one that jumps out at you. When you are bouncing around ideas, and your backstory starts to write itself, you’ve probably found a good one. Even more than with other parts of character creation, there are no wrong ways to do this. If having a name that’s deliberately an odd fit for your character feels good – do it. If you want to snipe from the shadows with a name like Thunderarms Shieldbreaker, we’re not going to stop you…and please, let us know about it in the comments below!
